The Rock was Christ
2/23 Reading Portions: Exodus 6; Luke 9; Job 23; 1 Corinthians 10
For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4
THIRST
After Moses led the children of Israel through the eastern gulf of the Red Sea into Midian (Saudi Arabia today; see Gal 4:25), the people complained of thirst in this barren desert (Exo 17:2). God told Moses to strike the rock as He, the LORD, stood before Moses on the rock at Horeb (Exo 17:6-7). From the rock came water for the people to drink. Keep in mind that Horeb is “the mountain of God” in Midian (Exo 3:1), where Moses saw the burning bush and heard the name of the LORD, the great I AM (Exo 3:14).
Later, as the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness because of their faithlessness to enter the Promised Land (Num 14), they cried again because of their thirst in the desert. This time, Moses was instructed to speak to the rock (Num 20:8). Moses lost his temper and struck the rock twice (Num 20:10). Water flowed from the rock enough for the people and all their livestock to drink, however, Moses displayed an unholy example before the people, and therefore, he would not be allowed to lead the people into the Promised Land (Num 20:11).
The Rock in the wilderness was a spiritual foreshadow of Jesus Christ. Jesus was struck by the staff of the Law of Moses to give lifesaving water to those who pant and thirst for God (Psa 42:1-2), representing His crucifixion. Now, since Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, He need not be sacrificed again and again. His life-giving water is available for the asking. We need only to speak to Christ for spiritual water that springs in the desert. Paul also tells us the Rock followed Israel. Jesus follows us as well, saying,
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” John 7:37
If we don’t speak to our Rock and drink from Christ’s water, we will only complain of thirst— like Israel.
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Rock,
Whose water gives us life:
We may drink if to You we talk,
Communing without strife.
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